ISLAMABAD: Former bureaucrat Roedad Khan has urged the Supreme Court (SC) to take notice of the proposed establishment of an observatory and a museum in Shakarparian Hills Park.

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is all set to set up the observatory and museum in the historical Shakarparian park where the then president Ayub Khan chaired a cabinet meeting and approved Islamabad’s master plan in 1960.

But against the spirit of the master plan, MoST, with the approval of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), is going to establish the observatory and a space museum in the park.

Though the facility will be constructed only on 50x47 feet area (261.11 square yards) and no tree will be cut, many believe it will open a space for starting different projects in public parks.

Roedad Khan, who has always been in the forefront to raise voice in support of protecting Margalla Hills, said Shakarparian was a protected area and no construction could be allowed there.

He said a couple of years ago the Supreme Court had scrapped a project of Pakistan Cricket Board to construct a cricket stadium in Shakarparian.

The Supreme Court had also formed a four-member committee to restore the site by taking steps such as planting trees.“I request the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice on this issue. I will also write a letter to the chief justice of Pakistan in this regard,” Roedad Khan said.

Earlier, the CDA through a letter dated Feb 2 approved the request of the MoST for setting up of the observatory in Shakarparian.

“I am directed on the above refer letters and to enclose herewith approval Layout Plan (LOP) of Shakarparian Zone III, Islamabad, showing the approval site for Space Museum/Planetarium/Observatory measuring 50x47 (261.11 sq yds) duly approved by CDA Board in its 19th Board meeting held on 24-12-2020 at the location of the fountain near Pakistan Monument, Shakarparian,” read the letter.

Voices of dissent have already emerged over the site earmarked for the facility.

A number of experts such as Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy, Prof Fateh Mohammad Malik and Dr Wiqar Shah have expressed their concerns over the selection of the site.

Speaking to Dawn, Dr Hoodbhoy had earlier said public places and parks were already shrinking, therefore, there was no logic behind establishing the observatory in a park.

“This step will be tantamount to encroachment,” he said, proposing premises of Pakistan Science Foundation instead for the project.

“We selected the park due to two reasons: the area is relatively on a high altitude and a large number of students and people visit the park. The project will enable students and researchers as well as the general public to observe the moon and other celestial bodies,” said Dr Tariq Masood, former joint secretary of the science ministry, who still is looking after the project.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2021